With nothing to play for, I see the Pats resting there starters next week. They might play a half at most. Andre and Matt should light it up by the fourth quarter, and to be honest I think the Patiots would much rather have a team like the Texans in than the Steelers or Ravens, so they would not mind losing to the Texans and playing later

It may be good for us that they moved the Cincy/Jets game to 7 pm. Now if we beat the Pats, Cincy will play the Jets tough to bounce them out of the playoff hunt and get the 3 seed, which should allow them to play us rather than potentially play a division rival like the Ravens for a third time.

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What did the city of Houston do to anger the football gods?

As I see it, the Bengals and Patriots will have exactly the same motivation next week since they are battling for the third seed. Because of the Colts' "I'm too sexy to go undefeated" stunt, we will likely need the Bengals playing full bore.

So the Patriots pulling back the horses is a double-edged sword: if they do it, then why wouldn't the Bengals do it, too??

As I see it, the Bengals and Patriots will have exactly the same motivation next week since they are battling for the third seed. Because of the Colts' "I'm too sexy to go undefeated" stunt, we will likely need the Bengals playing full bore.

So the Patriots pulling back the horses is a double-edged sword: if they do it, then why wouldn't the Bengals do it, too??

It may be good for us that they moved the Cincy/Jets game to 7 pm. Now if we beat the Pats, Cincy will play the Jets tough to bounce them out of the playoff hunt and get the 3 seed, which should allow them to play us rather than potentially play a division rival like the Ravens for a third time.

Yeah because the Bengals are dying to face the Texans again after getting blown out the past two times they played the Texans

Tom Brady says the Patriots are coming off their best week of practice all season and "one of" the team's best games. He wants to keep that momentum going next week in Houston.

"You don't want to make it seem like one week we're a team that looks like we did yesterday, and the next week we're a team that looks like we played against the Bills," Brady said on WEEI, as transcribed by Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.

"I'd love to see us go down there and put together the same type of effort," Brady said.

We wouldn't be surprised to see Brady play four quarters. Bill Belichick faced nearly the exact same decision in Week Seventeen of the '05 and '06 seasons. In both cases, the Patriots had the division clinched but no chance at a bye. There was little at stake.

In 2005, Matt Cassel replaced Brady in the first half of a narrow loss to the Dolphins.

In 2006, Brady played until victory was assured over a streaking Titans team. The difference in approach may have had to do with how well the Patriots were playing.

The 2005 team was on a four-game winning streak. The 2006 team had won two straight, but had lost to Miami 21-0 in Week Fourteen.

It's just an educated guess, but we suspect Belichick feels similar to Brady. The 2009 team looks like one that needs to improve on Sundays before sitting anyone. Injured players like Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren will clearly rest up for the playoffs, but Brady may just get his wish.

Brady playing the whole game doesn't mean the Patriots will prevail -- their best road win thus far is Buffalo -- but his presence certainly won't help Houston's playoff hopes.